International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrates its Golden Jubilee Year from February 5-7, 2016

Mumbai, February 3, 2016: International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is celebrating its Golden Jubilee year by organizing a special three-day spiritual-cultural festival on February 5-7, 2016 in the western suburbs. The programme comprises a Rath Yatra; live performances by Hema Malini and renowned kirtan artiste Gaura Vani amongst others; and the premiere of a special 15-minutes preview of a 2-hour film ‘Joy of Devotion’ which will tell the story of ISKCON and founder Srila Prabhupada to the world. Hema Malini will also unveil a special app ‘Krsna’ for android phones.

February 5, 2016

The Rath Yatra begins at 12 noon from Bhaktivedanta Swami Mission School (Shastri Nagar, Andheri) and concludes at Jamnabai Narsee School Ground, Juhu. The celebrations included Chappan Bhoga (56 foodstuffs) to Lord Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadradevi, special dramas, musical presentations. Highlights of Festival: Separate 3 Chariots for Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra; Chappan Bhoga, Maha Aarti, Dance, Drama, Cultural Events, Puppet Show; Kirtans by Gaura Vani Prabhu and Vishwambhar Das; Rock Band by Titiksava Karunika Prabhu; and Prasadam. The guests of honor will be H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami, H.H. Lokanath Swami and H.H. Radhanath Swami as well as many other enthusiastic devotees around the globe.

For those interested in contemporary music, youth, culture and spirituality there is ancient music with a fresh spirit. World renowned kirtan artist Gaura Vani will perform in Mumbai on occasion of 50th Anniversary of ISKCON. Gaura Vani is an American born into the Hare Krishna movement. His music combines traditional Indian kirtan music with Western elements such as 12-string guitar, gospel choruses and hip-hop rhythms. He learned how to play traditional Indian instruments when studying at a gurukul in Vrindavan, India and brought his knowledge back to United Stated. He performs kirtans regularly at yoga studios, temples and tours internationally across the world and engages thousands to youth across the world to participate in the age-old Vedic tradition of glorifying the Lord through kirtans. He shall make Krishna accessible through world music.

February 6, 2016

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will grace a special spiritual-cultural festival at Jamnabai Narsee School Grounds, Juhu, on the evening of February 6, 2016 where accomplished people from different walks of life associated with ISKCON will share their experiences. Special guests include Alfred Ford, Hema Malini, Rajeshree Birla, Ajay Piramal, Ashok Hinduja and distinguished artistes amongst others. In the presence of Chief Minister, ISKCON shall premier a special 15-minutes preview of a 2-hour film ‘Joy of Devotion’ which will tell the story of ISKCON and founder Srila Prabhupada to the world.

For those interested in: Corporate & Business, Spirituality, International, Philanthropy, Mr. Alfred Ford (Ambrish Das) shall grace the 50th Anniversary celebrations of ISKCON at Mumbai. Alfred Brush Ford (born 1950), also known as Ambarish das, is an American heir to the Ford fortune. He is a great-grandson of legendary businessman Henry Ford — the founder of the Ford Motor Company. Alfred Ford joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (the Hare Krishnas) in 1975 and that same year he made his first trip to India with Prabhupada. He assisted in the establishment of the first Hindu temple in Hawaii and also donated $500,000 to help establish the Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center in Detroit] which was completed in 1983. Alfred Ford has made many significant donations to ISKCON over the years which have assisted ongoing projects to build the Pushpa Samadhi Mandir of Prabhupada. He founded the Iskcon Foundation, and is also the chairman of the Sri Mayapur Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

February 7, 2016

Actress Hema Malini will unveil the Krsna app and also render a dance performance live (starting 7 pm) at Jamnabai Narsee School Grounds, Juhu. As their latest offering, to cater to the people who are interested to connect more deeply to Krishna and the universal teachings of Bhagavad-gita, ISKCON has developed an android mobile app called Krsna, which features darshans from Krishna temples worldwide, chants, Bhagavad-Gita online, facility to offer prayers online and more. On the social media scene, more than 3.8 million people from 34 countries are active members of ISKCON Juhu’s Facebook Page.

All the four ISKCON temples in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai will participate in the festivities along with numerous devotees from India and abroad.

HG Sura Das, National Convener for 50th Anniversary Celebrations – India said, “This year, ISKCON is celebrating 50 years of its Inception way back in 1966 in New York by our Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. ISKCON has emerged in these fifty years, as a strong centre, propagating the ancient Vedic philosophy and Krishna Consciousness, not just in India but all over the world. The event on 5th, 6th & 7th of February is the first leg of our celebrations. It is our way to pay homage to our Founder Acharya and also bring to the world the achievements of ISKCON. More importantly, spread the message of “The joy of devotion”, as the legacy and teachings of Srila Prabhupada not just in Mumbai but all of India and the world. “

ISKCON temples across the globe will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 'Journey to West' of its founder who was originally known Abhay Charan when leaving in August 1965 to spread the message of Lord Krishna and Bhagavad-Gita in USA. He founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in New York on July 13, 1966. While it was not unusual for immigrants from India to head to the United States, Srila Prabhupada did not seek riches. Instead he wanted to distribute the greatest wealth of India which is the timeless knowledge of Bhagvad-gita.

ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya (denomination or tradition), an ancient monotheistic tradition within Vedic or Hindu culture. It propagates the timeless Vedic philosophy which is not limited to any religion. The concept of God consciousness, devotional service and associating with god by remembering His name, His pastimes and following His instructions is universally preached in all spiritual walks of life and is explained in the Vedas as the 'sanatana dharma', the basic duty of all living entities. The message of Bhagvad–Gita is more a manual for life and is relevant even in today’s times and thus has a universal appeal.